| Summary: | 碩士 === 國立花蓮教育大學 === 國民教育研究所 === 97 === Conversation on Skype was incorporated into English curriculum in this research. Third year Department of Applied Foreign English students in Lo-tung Vocational Senior High School of Commerce talked on Skype once a week for fourteen weeks on three major topics: Getting to Know Each Other, Campus Life, and Interesting Festivals. Recorded student calls were scored by teachers based on Speaking Ability Criteria of Basic Level GEPT (General English Proficiency Test), which was specifically modified into four skills focusing on Pronunciation and Intonation, Fluency, Grammar and Vocabulary, and Content and Expression. Feedbacks from students on evaluation sheets, blogs, observation results from co-researchers, and researcher journals were all included.
The results show improved progress in students’ English speaking abilities after practicing English via Skype. 83% of the students got higher grades in Interesting Festivals than in Getting to Know Each Other. Students indicated increased frequency in using English but not as much in class as after school. Their confidence and interests in using and learning English were also improved, but the confidence is highly related to the time spent using Skype and affected by anxiety and different individual standards. However, the problems listed above can be gradually solved with teacher’s encouragements and better class design. On one hand, the advantages of using Skype in class for teachers are as follows.
1. Teachers’ computer knowledge and English abilities can be enhanced.
2. Conversations can be recorded and used for students’ evaluation and learning tracking.
3. Skype class provided objective grading process for teachers.
On the other hand, the disadvantages of using Skype in class for teachers are as follows.
1. There are still technical issues in operating computer equipment and the Internet.
2. Evaluation standards for speaking abilities are difficult to be specific; requiring proper grader training.
3. It is not easy to find suitable conversation partners to chat with on the phone.
All in all, these conclusions and suggestions will serve as references for further researchers when incorporating Skype into English class to improve students’ speaking ability in English.
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